Stephany Writes

Categories: Holidays

Holiday Week: Memories

Last year, I completed my first Holiday Week on my blog. I got the idea from Nora. A week of holiday posts, writing about whatever your heart desires. Beginning my second year with a list of memories from Christmas past that fill me with utter joy and glee whenever I reminisce about them.

> Staying up an entire Christmas Eve night/Christmas morning with my brother when we were in middle school. I ended up falling asleep at 10:00am the next morning, but we were so proud of ourselves because we had tried to do this for so many years. The key was to watch loud, action movies. They kept us awake and our minds busy.

> Waking up one Christmas morning to seeing two bikes parked in the kitchen/dining room by our sliding glass doors. Mine was pink with pretty sparkly streamers. I can still remember how surprised and excited I was to see my bike.

> Waking our parents up at 6am to open presents and my dad tiredly saying, rubbing sleep from his eyes, “Happy Christmas and Merry New Year.”

> Going to the mall one evening in December with my brother when we were in high school to buy her Christmas presents. Coming home and stealing away to my room to wrap the presents. Coming out with the wrapped gifts to place them under the twinkling tree. Annnnd forgetting to throw away the bags everything came in so she saw the stores we bought things from. (Talk about a major joy killer!)

> Finding a mysterious large box in my walk-in closet that my brother and I grilled my mom about all throughout December. She insisted it was a gift for my cousin my uncle had asked her to keep. Turns out? It was our very first computer. Best gift ever.

> The anticipation of counting down to Christmas, whether it be in my classroom (we usually made paper links) or with a Christmas countdown at home. Getting to the single-digit days was exciting.

> Dressing up the Christmas tree with mismatched ornaments, many created by my brother and me.

> Creating the most hideous Christmas cookies with as much frosting, sprinkles, and M&M’s as we could.

> Being given the “Toys R Us” catalog and circling all the toys I wanted.

> Waking up on Christmas morning to see the cookies and milk my brother and I left for Santa gone, and a letter written by him in its place.

> Candlelight services at church. They never fail to fill me with Christmas spirit and remind me of the real reason this time is so special.

> Making my first gingerbread house, even if it was put together wrong and a wall began caving in minutes after I finished decorating it.

What’s one holiday memory that you have from your own childhood?

Categories: Holidays

A Christmas Wish List

I’ve never done one of these Christmas wish lists posts and to be honest, it feels a little weird. But I’m still posting this because I’ve loved reading what others are wishing for this Christmas. I absolutely love Christmas and creating a wish list is part of that excitement. I mean, what other time of the year do I get to lay out a list of things I’m currently coveting?

Without further ado, here is my list!

1. A new cover for my Kindle
When I got my Kindle this Spring, I bought a hot pink cover to go with it. After 7-8 months with it, it’s getting worn out and I’m a little sick of looking at it. Amazon itself has nice covers, but I’ve had my eyes on a few cute designs from Etsy.

2. Running capris
I’ve been coveting fitted running capris for a while now and I think I need them in my life since I’m running (ha!) more regularly. The pair below is from Lululemon, the Run: Inspire Crop II. They are $86. I do not believe I need a pair of EIGHTY-SIX dollar pants that I’m just going to sweat in. (Unless, of course, they will cure my ankle pain to help me run longer and faster.) Target offers a similar pair for under $30. I like that option better.

3. A new pair of boots.
I own a pair of Fuggs (fake Uggs). I love my Fuggs. And while Florida has been HOT lately (it was in the 70s for Thanksgiving), one always needs to be prepared. And I need some nice boots to wear to work on those (infrequent) cold days.

4. An umbrella
Umbrellas are those purchases you never think to make until you need it (read: a rainy day). And goodness, what kind of boring Christmas wish list is this? An umbrella? I guess I really am turning into an adult. This one is my favorite.

5. Frames for my diplomas
My wish list is getting very boring. But these are things I NEED and never think to buy for myself. So these are going on the list.

6. Vera Bradley
I have a slight obsession with all things Vera Bradley and really could care less if you think her designs look like something your grandmother would have.

7. Amazon Gift Cards
I feel like gift cards are “cheating” for Christmas but seriously, I could put these to so much good use. I use the “1-click” button on Amazon frequently.

What’s on your list this holiday season?

Categories: Holidays

Christmas 2010

I’m not sure I could sum up Christmas Day in one word. It was definitely a rollercoaster but I must say that our first year hosting Christmas (albeit with a small crowd) was a success.

Christmas started at 7:30am when my mom and I exchanged stockings and then gifts. We spoil each other every Christmas, but since it’s the only time of the year we do so, it works for us. I think I did all right in the gift-giving department with her. Among the many gifts were a new armband for her iPod (to replace her old one that still has blood on it from her accident, despite washing it.), tons of clothes, and a new Vera Bradley bag and wallet.

And she totally spoiled me.

After the presents were unwrapped, it was time to stuff the turkey, get it in the oven, and prepare for Christmas dinner! We were busy putting the apartment back together, showering, decorating, and cooking but there was such an enveloping sense of peace about this day. Even though we got hurtful news about something a family member attempted to do, we knew we were spending Christmas Day with the four people we loved the most and who loved us the most.

My brother, sister-in-law, and nephew came over around noon, and then it was on to more present opening! Since my nephew was sleeping, we left his presents for later while my brother and SIL opened theirs. A customized 49ers jersey for my brother, along with more clothes and candy. And a Bath & Body Works gift set in my SIL’s favorite scent (unbeknownst to me! I’m just good like that.), a travel mug, as well as Mario Kart for Wii (which I badly want to play because Mario Kart used to occupy my brother and me for hours when we were younger.)

My mom was finishing up cooking dinner when my nephew woke up. He is definitely his father’s child in that he usually wakes up a little grumpy and just wants to cuddle for a long while. He eventually warmed up and opened some of his presents. But since he’s only two, he doesn’t quite understand the concept yet. He would open a present and only want to play with that one so eventually, we had to open up presents for him and show him all the cool stuff. True to form, we spoiled him greatly for Christmas with a soccer set, a baseball set, a wagon, tons of clothes, and a doctor’s set.

He was more interested in playing with his toys than eating dinner, so we all sat down to eat some yummy turkey, delicious mashed potatoes, green beans, fluffy dinner rolls, and the best stuffing in the world. Oh, gosh, was dinner delicious! My mom is forevermore hosting Christmas dinner.

And then it was onto playing! It’s so much fun having a child around for Christmas because we get to buy him FUN things and there’s such pure joy in his eyes when he’s playing. Next year will be even more exciting when he understands who Santa Claus is and I just can’t wait!

All in all, this was a very successful Christmas. I’m so glad my mom and I decided to host it at our house because it was calm, peaceful, and relaxed. (Well, as calm, peaceful, and relaxed as you can be with an active two-year-old!) I’m sad this magical day is over but I’m looking forward to what 2011 will bring for me and my family!

And for my giveaway winner! I was so excited to do this and I couldn’t believe the response so thank you! I will definitely have more things to give away in the future. I used Random.org to pick the winner so a huge congrats to Kim! Shoot me an e-mail with your address and I’ll mail off the prizes ASAP.

Categories: Holidays

Holiday Week: Confessions

1. This year, my mom and I bought a fake tree. I have been on Team Real Tree for the past 23 years, and the thought of going artificial made my skin crawl. But then I got to thinking about the process of buying a tree, bringing it home, fitting it into the stand, watering it, and dealing with the needles. Going artificial was a no-brainer and it has been so much easier.

2. This season, I cannot listen to the song “Christmas Shoes.” The song is so sad and puts me in a depressed funk. Also, I can’t stand the song “Same Old Lang Syne,” since I don’t think the singer has a very good voice. This song is just too corny for me.

3. Apparently, now you have to “Santa-tize” your hands before seeing Santa. I don’t remember doing this when I was a kid and remained perfectly healthy. It’s funny how germaphobe our society has gotten. (And I’m not saying in this a bad way, just an observation!)

4. We always wrap presents for our dog and put them under the tree. Doesn’t every pet owner do this? No?

5. I have no memories of any bad Christmases. My mom always did everything she could to make sure my brother and I had a great Christmas, even if she had to sacrifice a lot.

6. This is the first Christmas in a very long time that I will spend at home. My mom and I are hosting Christmas dinner and my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew are coming over. I am really, really excited about this.

7. This week fills me with all sorts of anxiety and fear that something horrible will befall my family and make the holidays a time of sadness for me.

8. Growing up, I always figured Santa came to our apartment and knocked on the door, even though in every movie, he came through the chimney. Unfortunately, we don’t have one of those so that was my best guess as to how Santa brought us presents.

9. Also, on the Santa front, I was always confused about why he wrapped our presents for us but in every movie, he didn’t wrap any presents.

10. Carol of the Bells used to scare the crap out of me. Now, it’s my favorite Christmas song.

What are some of your holiday confessions?
Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for some after-Christmas presents! Giveaway closes at 7pm EST on Sunday, December 26.

Categories: Holidays

Holiday Week: Christmas Questions

Since Ten on Tuesday this week is a bunch of random questions, I scoured the interwebs for Christmas questions to keep with my Holiday Week theme.

1. What’s the best gift you’ve ever received? How about the worst?

The best is a toss-up between my computer when I was 13 or my iPod Touch last year. Both were surprises and I was thrilled when I opened up the gifts. And both I used a lot.

The worst gift would have to be this paint program my aunt got for me when I was in 8th grade. It was Disney and more on a first-grader level. Its presents like those that help you realize your extended family knows nothing about you.

2. What is your favorite Christmas movie moment?

I love Elf and towards the end of the movie when Jovie gets in front of the big crowd and starts singing “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and everyone joins in, including Buddy’s family. It makes me cry every time!

3. When do you open gifts?

Christmas Day! I am so not a Christmas Eve present opener. I love the anticipation that comes with Christmas Eve and wouldn’t change that for the world.

4. Do you believe in Santa? If not, who convinced you he’s not real?

I don’t. I was made fun of in second grade for still believing in Santa Claus and told my mom I didn’t believe in him around that time. But I still received presents from him for a few years after that. I do love how fun it is to believe in him. It’s been fun to talk about Santa with the older kids in my center because their belief in him is so pure and so strong!

5. What is your happiest Christmas memory?

Those Christmas Eve nights I spent with my brother. It started when I was in 6th grade and we made plans to play games while we waited for 6am to open presents. We kept true to this tradition until he moved out in 2006. We only managed to stay awake the whole night one year when we spent Christmas Eve at my uncle’s house and watched a whole slew of movies.

6. Describe an ornament that has special significance to you.

There’s not really an ornament that I would say has special significance to me. There are plenty of ornaments that I made when I was younger and a few of me at a younger age. And then we have a ton of snowmen ornaments that make me smile.

7. What famous person would you most like to encounter under the mistletoe?

I’m just going to be honest: nobody. There is no way I would do anything but freak out and probably pass out if I encountered a famous person under the mistletoe. While it would be pretty awesome to meet Jake Gyllenhaal under the mistletoe, I would be too shy to ever do anything. So, Jake, if we ever do meet, you’re going to have to make the first move, ‘kay?

8. When it comes to decorations, are you more of a Griswald or a Grinch?

I guess a Griswald but on a lesser scale. Our decorations are nice and festive, but it’s not overdone in any grand scale. Just decorating our living room and patio. They’re nice, though. I like ‘em!

9. What is your favorite version of a Christmas song?

I’ll admit that I’m not a big fan of Mariah Carey or Christina Aguilera’s Christmas renditions. They go so big and oversing almost every Christmas song. It’s a little annoying!

I’m not sure what my favorite version of a song is, though. I mostly love any rendition of ‘O Holy Night’, though. It’s such a pretty song!

10. Have you had any traumatic Christmas-related experiences?

No, thank God. I am so nervous this week that something awful is going to happen to my family and Christmas will forever be ruined.

A few Christmases ago, I had a terrible anxiety attack on the night before Christmas Eve that my mom was going to get into a car wreck on her way to work and die. Luckily, she was fine. And she called me just before she was leaving to let me know she was coming home. About 3 minutes after her call, the police knocked on the door, inquiring about my neighbor.

Oh, my gosh, you guys. If she hadn’t called before then, I would have probably thrown up on their shoes.

11. What would be an appropriate gag gift for most of your friends?

Probably Justin Bieber’s new “book”. (Did he really write a book?) I would love to give it to my work BFF just to see her face. Tehehe.

12. Would you rather be a partridge in a pear tree or a lords a-leaping and why?

Confession: I just Googled “partridge” and “lords a-leaping”. Apparently, this is the difference between a bird or a leaping dancer. I guess I’ll choose lords a-leaping because I’ve always wanted to be a dancer. A leaping dancer is just a bonus.

Don’t forget to enter my holiday giveaway – ends Sunday, December 26.